LA BAMBA

 "LA BAMBA"  (1987)

MY THOUGHTS:

I always have liked this movie! It is very well-done. They took a tragic, true tale and turned it into a biographical film, that honored both the music and the man. Although I have seen it many times, it's a movie that doesn't disappoint.

SYNOPSIS: "Los Angeles teenager Ritchie Valens becomes an overnight rock 'n' roll success in 1958, thanks to a love ballad called "Donna" that he wrote for his girlfriend whose parents didn't want her to date a Latino boy. But as his star rises, Valens has conflicts with his jealous brother, Bob, and becomes haunted by a recurring nightmare of a plane crash just as he begins his first national tour alongside Buddy Holly."

NOTE: Lou Diamond Phillips appears on screen, in close-up shots, singing Valens' songs. The voice is actually that of David Hidalgo of Los Lobos, the contemporary group that re-recorded most of Valens' hits.

STARRING: Lou Diamond Phillips, Danielle von Zerneck, Esai Morales, Marshall Crenshaw, Rosana DeSoto, Elizabeth Pena and Joe Pantoliano.

SCREENPLAY: Luis Valdez, based on the book: "Ritchie Valens: The Day the Music Died."

DIRECTOR: Luis Valdez

AWARDS & OTHER HONORS:

The film was nominated for 6 awards, from various entities, and won 3.